VUILLAUME (MARIE). See Madame Marie Pichon.
VUILLET, a bookseller of Plassans, who published a biweekly journal, the _Gazette de Plassans_, which was devoted exclusively to the interests of the clergy. La Fortune des Rougon.
WEISS, husband of Henriette Levasseur, and cousin of Otto Gunther. He got a situation in the refinery at Chene-Populeux, almost in a menial position, but he gradually educated himself, and by dint of hard work raised himself to the position of accountant. A clear-headed man, he early saw the causes that were to lead to the downfall of his country, and expressed himself strongly regarding the unprepared state of the army. Weiss lived at Sedan, but in 1870 he had just bought a little house at Bazeilles, where he slept the night before the battle. He was frantic at the idea that the Prussians might pillage and perhaps destroy the dwelling so long desired and so hardly acquired, and when the attack was made he took an active part in the fighting. Captured by the Prussians, and being a civilian, he was at once condemned to be shot, and the sentence was carried out before the eyes of his wife, who had come from Sedan to look for him. La Debacle.
WEISS (MADAME), wife of the preceding. See Henriette Levasseur. La Debacle.
WORMS, a famous costumier, before whom the ladies of the Second Empire bowed the knee. Renee Saccard was one of his customers, and when she died owed him an account of two hundred and fifty-seven thousand francs. La Curee.
ZEPHIR, the horse ridden by Prosper Sambuc, who loved it like a brother. The animal received a mortal wound at the battle of Sedan, and fell on its rider, crushing under it his right leg. It lay upon him for some hours, but eventually, on his speaking to it, moved with a great effort sufficiently to allow him to escape. La Debacle.
ZEPHYRIN, a worker on the farm of La Borderie. He laughed at the agricultural machinery introduced by Alexandre Hourdequin. La Terre.
ZIDORE, a youth of seventeen, who was an apprentice zinc-worker. He was Coupeau’s assistant at one time. L’Assommoir.
ZIZI, the pet name given by Nana to Georges Hugon. Nana.
ZOE, waiting-maid in the employment of Nana. She was entirely in Nana’s confidence, and was always ready with shrewd advice, though there is no doubt she arranged matters so that a great deal of money came into her own hands. She ultimately took over the establishment of La Tricon, which she had long coveted, and, having large ideas, proposed to extend the business by renting a larger house. Nana.